It's in the Headlines

As I read the morning newspaper today, something struck me and I can't help but notice 3 major news that share something in common. The major news today are:

1. The IMF chair who was accused of sexually assaulting a house chambermaid in a plush hotel.

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger fathering a child from a member of his household staff.

3. RH Bill - Malacanang vs. Catholic Church.

Freud is very much in the news today.

It's all about SEX. Go figure.

How To Impress your Customers

In my years of servicing clients in real estate, insurance, and other businesses, I noticed that it gives a smile to my clients or loyal customers whenever I do a certain habit.

And what is that customer service habit that I normally give?

When a client expect something, make them feel that you will deliver within their expectations. Say, they expect a contract to be delivered tomorrow. If you can deliver it to them today, it makes a big difference.

If a client is expecting a discount, of course, it's not within your means to decide in that aspect but if you can request the company to soften or lighten the terms, or more so, if you can squeeze a discount without a client expecting it, so much the better.

What am I saying?

It is always better to under-promise to your clients but not to the extent that you won't meet their expectations or standards. However, if you can over perform or out perform your client's expectations, your client will remember you for it and in the long term, you will have a vote of confidence from your client.

Jogging at the Oval, ULTRA, anyone?

I have a goal and that is to go back to my desired weight at 185 lbs.

I am now over 210 lbs. and so it's quite a pretty challenging task at my age.

Well, I am now 43 going 44 this year and I had that ideal weight more than 10 years ago.

Is it possible? I believe it is.

I have my own Biggest Loser's program. It's been years since I sought to go back to 185 lbs.

But there are so many distractions.

One way to shed my waistline is to diet. Maintain a balanced diet. Protein, Carbo, Veggies, the works.

Don't forget to sleep at least 8 hours a day and drink at least 10 glasses a day.

But dieting is not enough.

I need to exercise. And my body should always try something new.

Been using the stationary bike every now and then. I can't run yet because I'm heavy. And I know running will ruin my knees in the long run. So I thought I have to be light first. But if I don't start now, when would it be?

I thought of brisk walking... jogging slowly until I get the hang of it. Biking is too expensive for me and dangerous.

So I thought of going to ULTRA, now called PhilSports Complex.

Anyone who's interested, you may call ULTRA at 638-4857. They are open as early as 5am and ticket selling stops at 7pm. So you can jog up to 8pm.

I bought a belt bag. Goes to show that I have to motivate myself to jog.

Just do it man. And the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The Way You Ask Defines You

The way you ask questions is a give-away.

It helps label you as a person.

Many Filipinos ask in the negative.

Instead of asking positively, they ask in the negative form. Examples of these are:

1. Wala na ba? 

2. Ayaw mo ba?

3. Hindi ba?

Really, starting out in a negative form, not necessarily negative tone, sets the mindset of the one who asks.

Instead of asking questions like these:

Wala na ba, Ayaw mo ba, Hindi ba, you could ask positively like

Meron pa ba? Gusto mo ba? Pwede pa ba?

Ask questions that give "hope" to your questions. Ask that expect hope or positive results.

For if you ask questions that do not seem to expect something positive, the giver is not motivated to give something to the recipient or the one who asks.

Have You Ever Thought of These?

Simple questions...

A mighty ship floating in the vastness of the sea.

A jumbo jet flying in cloud nine.

How can a voice be transmitted into other parts of the world?

How can an ant go up to the penthouse of the building?

Why is laughter the best medicine?

Why can't a vehicle run on water?

Why is darkness the absence of light, but light is not the absence of darkness?

Why is colds incurable?

I don't have the answers to all of these. There are more unanswered questions and if you will dig deeper, information overload is sure to crack your wits.

Man does not have all the answers or so he thought he has.

Only God makes things happen the way it is.

Why I love BPI Credit Cards

I'm mired in debt. It's mostly credit-card related.

I've been paying over the minimum but it seems the balance just do not get smaller every month. Instead, it's really slooooooooooooooooowww in coming (for my outstanding balance to lessen that is).

But thank God for BPI Credit Card's balance transfer program. I was able to pay in full my two other credit cards and will just concentrate in paying my BPI credit card monthly.

It pays to have a BPI card. It gives you leeway to ease your financial burden on credit card.

Now that I was given the privilege, it's time for me to discipline myself again in handling my credit card payments.

I've been there, done that.

It's just that sometimes, when you become greedy, the credit card can easily take over.

Lesson learned.

And I'm grateful BPI paved the way to ease my financial burden.

Don't ask me how. Just call 89-100 for details. ;-)

Living to be 80

I'm in my mid-40s and I plan to live until 80.

This Bible verse stuck with me. It says:

The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10)

So is this possible?

Who decides up to how long can a man live?

Is it up to God or do we control our destiny?

I believe that if we have a goal - we should work toward that goal. So how do I do it?

There are many ways to reach that goal but you have to be diligent about it.

First, I have to take care of my physical needs. By taking care of my physical needs, I have to balance my diet, maintain a regular exercise to keep myself fit and appropriate regular time for rest.

I am actually in tune with that. I also make it a point to go through a blood chemistry exam on a yearly basis - a preventive measure, just to make sure that my health is still within the normal limits and I won't be needing any medicaiton at all, as each year passes by.

Another area that I have to look at is the emotional aspect of my life. For sure, I need to have time for myself once in a while - it's literally to come apart, to go solo, to be on your own like gaining perspective. And to reinvigorate myself, I need to recreate. This can be done in the form of a hobby, sports or any other activity that takes you away from your routine. And maybe, once in a while, my body needs to cultivate a cheerful heart. I strongly believe that laughter is the best medicine. It's like all work, and no play. I need to humor myself or at least laugh with the people I meet.

Last but not the least (actually this could be the most important of all). I need to fine tune my spiritual life. I need to commune with God on a daily basis. And how do I do it? By starting the day with quiet time. A quiet time consists of reading the Scriptures, reflecting on the message God intended for you and praying to God. But no man is an island. I need to be a part of a small Group for a Christian without a small group is like a spiritual orphan. This way, it keeps you renewed whenever you meet up to fellowship with your small group members. Lest I might forget, I need to make this a weekly habit and that is, by attending Sunday worship - to meditate on God's message and to remind myself to set a time or day for God.

If I can commit to all these 3 habits, I believe that living to be 80 is attainable.

So I say, help me God but

Thy will be done.